It is Valentine’s Day and I was given a VERY ‘cool’ gift—a beautiful snowy morning.

As I stepped out the back door I was greeted with a view that literally made me stop in my tracks. Everything was covered with a layer of beautiful, white snow. Something about the snow clinging to the branches made me feel like I had stepped in to a winter wonderland. Being in the season of Lent and purposefully focusing on the gifts God has given me, I couldn’t help but see this as a Valentine gift from the only One who can create such beauty.

I could not resist the urge to bundle up and head out for a walk with my dog, Denver. I took my camera along in order to capture some of this beauty while it lasted. With the sun beginning to shine on the trees, I knew the snow wouldn’t last long.

As I walked through the beautiful, white carpet of snow, it felt so invigorating and cleansing. Seeing all of nature covered in white reminded me of a scripture that was read last night at the Ash Wednesday service. Psalm 51:7 :Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. There is nothing more pure and clean than a fresh snowfall.

As I came to the part of the path where the sun had been shining the longest, I could already hear the snow beginning to melt and fall to the ground. I knew that it was only a matter of time before all of the trees, bushes and grass would lose their snowy covering. Being aware of this, I savored each moment and tried to appreciate every bit of the natural beauty as I walked.

Denver, my Golden Retriever also appreciated this special gift. When he first realized that we were going for a walk in the snowy field he began to frantically run around in large circles. It’s like he was so delighted that he just couldn’t contain himself any longer. It almost made me wish I was a dog so that I could find that much joy and excitement from something as simple as the snow.

As I headed back to the house to begin the work of the day, I stopped and took a few deep breaths and enjoyed the sounds of morning. I silently said my ‘thank you’ for the gift and took one last look into the field. Even now, looking out the window as I write these words, the trees are already bare. I am still thankful for my beautiful Valentine gift, no matter how short-lived. I want to carry that over in to the rest of my life—being thankful for ‘gifts’, even if they are only in my life for a short time.